Chapter Ninety Nine

Charlie

I was waiting for Bella to ask the questions I dreaded and of course she looked at me with pain and asked,

"Have they found Phil's body yet?"

"If you mean the police then no but they don't know where to look. Once Darius and Edward finish their job in San Diego they'll find him and give him a decent burial. It would be too awkward to tell the police where he is, after all they know nothing about you. As far as they are concerned you are still missing and I guess that's the best way for it to stay."

"Why? What about Renee? They found her, so what are they doing? Has she been buried yet?"

"No not yet. They refuse to release the body until they find out more about what happened."

"Jasper told me his friends have the man who did this, have you seen him?"

"No, they won't let me close or I'd kill the fucker myself. They're saving him for Jasper."

"I hope they make him suffer dad, not for me so much as for Phil, Renee, Kat, and that poor girl Sophie who died giving birth to his child."

Her vehemence shocked me, Bella had never been a cold or cruel child but there was naked hatred in her eyes as she spoke of him.

"He ruined so many lives dad, look at us, mum and Phil are dead, you're a vampire and I'm a wreck. We all had lives ahead of us and he's taken them all away. Hows Kat? Is she better? The only person not hurt by him is Aggie, sorry Skye, at least she was too young to suffer and Rose adores her."

"Kat's fine, much better, she's gonna be OK Bella she has a gift that helped her in the cellar."

"A gift?"

"Yes hasn't Jasper told you? A lot of humans have gifts that get magnified when they become vampires. Well Kat's still human of course but she had a way of protecting herself from the worst of it all."

"And you? Do you have a gift dad?"

"It would seem so because I am very controlled for a newborn, usually new vampires tend to run amok if not restrained but your old dad can take care of himself."

"What about the others? Jasper?"

I shrugged,

"They don't talk about it but I know Alice can see into the future although for some reason she can't see you. "

"That's a shame, it could have helped. She might have seen us kidnapped and helped to stop it but then I guess its too late to think about that now."

Bella

I had learned a few more things about Jasper's family but not a lot about him. Funny, I thought I knew him when we were living together but it turned out I knew nothing at all, not about the real Jasper Whitlock, if that was even his real name. The strange thing was that I didn't trust him any less for finding that out, if anything I trusted him more. He'd certainly shown his love and devotion to me clearly enough and I did love him, even more too but I was scared to let him know that in case he wanted more of me. I couldn't even think of becoming physical yet. The thought of being naked in his presence made me feel physically sick, besides the body he had made love too was long gone and the new one was skin and bone, the skin marked with the scars of the beatings I received with his belt. Would he even desire me now or was it more the love of a brother? The idea it might be that sent a cold shiver down my spine but he had never touched me or even kissed me except on the top of my head since he found me. I was confused, with one breath i was saying I couldn't be physical with him yet but with the next I was worried because he wasn't trying and he had told me that he wouldn't force me to do anything until I was ready.

I must have spaced out because the next thing I heard was the outer door opening and Jasper call my name, he always did that if he left me so I would know it was him who had come in to the apartment, I guess I still feared someone might come for me and take me away from him. Yes that was it, take me away from HIM.

"Are you OK Bells? I think I lost you there for a few minutes."

I looked up at Charlie and smiled ruefully,

"Sorry Dad sometimes I just drift away."

"Well I guess I should leave, you look tired Bella, try to get some sleep."

I nodded but I only had eyes for Jasper as he appeared, his hair messy as usual and dripping wet, so it must be raining outside just for a change. I wondered where he had been but I wouldn't ask, I still found questions hard, mainly because asking them had become a very painful pastime.

I got up and saw my Dad out and as he was about to leave he turned back and gave me a hug which shocked me, my dad wasn't normally this demonstrative,

"I'm so glad you're getting there Bella. I love you and you'll always be my daughter."

I nodded unable to speak, choked by the tears that threatened to spill. and he left with a nod to Jasper who had appeared at my back, his strong comforting arms around me.

Once Charlie was out of sight I shut the door and went back to the lounge picking up my empty mug but Jasper took it from me,

"Sit down Bella please, I want to talk to you."

I sat down suddenly worried, what was it he wanted to say? Was he leaving? Did he want me to leave? The questions flashed into my mind before I could stop them but I knew I was being stupid, Jazz wasn't going anywhere, he'd promised me.

"OK, I'm sitting, what did you want to talk about?"

He understood my apprehension and smiled squatting down in front of me and taking my hands in his.

"I spoke to Darius while I was out and I'm going to have to leave you just for a couple of days Bella. I'm really sorry but I have no choice."

"Why? What's happened? Can't I go with you?"

"I don't think it's a good idea darlin' I'm going on business."

From the way he said that I had an idea, business meant something he didn't want to elaborate on to me.

"But what will I do? I can't stay here on my own Jazz."

"I''m going to ask Rose to stay with you if that's OK? She can bring Skye with her, you'd like to see her again wouldn't you?"

I nodded, yes I wanted to see Skye and if I had to have a babysitter I could do a lot worse than Rose but I still dreaded the idea of being without Jazz, he was my crutch and I needed him but I understood he might need a breathing space, after all I wasn't exactly good company right now.

"When do you have to go?"

"As soon as possible, I just wanted to speak to you first but I'll ring Rose right away. I'll be as quick as I can I promise Bella but this is something I need to do."

I nodded, listening in as he rang Rose who said she'd be right over, no hesitation no questioning just "I'll be right there Jazz. Give me a few minutes to pack Skye's things."

If she trusted him and was so happy to come look after me then I could stop worrying, I just didn't want to be a burden to anyone and sometimes when I woke screaming or couldn't stop crying that's exactly how I felt.